Forever Ivy, the longest shot on the board, stunned a group of top-notch distaff pacers to win the featured Open Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday night at Pocono
Downs. The race carried the evening’s top purse of $60,000.
Leaving from post position No. 8 in a field of nine as a 43-1 shot, Forever Ivy hustled to grab the early lead. She then allowed Red Star Hottie to take over on the front stretch and bided her time in the pocket behind a fast pace until the stretch. That’s when trainer-driver Charlie Norris sent the five-year-old mare to the passing lane to sweep by Red Star Hottie and win by a half-length in a career-best time of 1:50.3. Native Doll picked up the show.
Forever Ivy, sired by Stand Forever and owned by Rebecca Ewing of Apple Creek, Ohio, won for the second time in six tries this season. It was her 15th career victory, and her lifetime earnings now stand at $278,423.
(With files from Pocono Downs)